A closer look at the Greek word ‘anomos’ in the New Testament.
‘a’ prefacing a word in Greek = without, amoral, anarchy
‘nomos’ (G3551) = actually refers to the original Hebrew word ‘torah’ (traditionally translated as ‘law’ from the Greek word ‘nomos’ into the English language. nomos = Torah, to adapt and operate in the principles of GOD, His “Laws”, His set of moral values as outlined in His Word.
anomos (G459) is more properly understood and expressed from the Hebrew perspective as ‘without Torah, rebellious; by implication ‘Godless men‘; also known as Gentile; one who refuses GOD’s teachings and instructions (TORAH), crossing and trespassing boundaries of GOD.
To be without Torah (without the Word of GOD) is to be or become Godless.
To operate in such a way as to be without Torah = is to behave in a lawless manner, act unlawfully, to transgress boundaries, Godless behavior wickedness, or to act wickedly.
Anomos appears 10x in the New Testament. Let’s look at the first 3 so that we can see the pattern, (How GOD uses the Word ‘anomos’ in scripture). This is the pattern of usage that matters more than our English translations.
Remember: Our English translations apply nine or more words or phrases throughout the many versions of the New Testament in translating the word ‘anomos.’ But, they all lead back to the same Greek word.
Let’s look at the first 3 appearances of ‘anomos‘ in the New Testament.
Mark 15:28 (KJV)
“And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.“
Luke 22:37 (KJV)
“For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.”
Acts 2:23 (KJV)
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands (Godless men) have crucified and slain:
I can’t help it… let’s look at the 4th appearance of anomos.
1 Corinthians 9:21 (KJV)
To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
You can’t help but notice the number of times the Word emphasizes the problem... anomos = them that are without the TORAH.
1 Corinthians 9:21 is showing us something else. Let’s look again…
1 Corinthians 9:21 (KJV)
To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
Under the Torah (law) = enomos (G1772)
*From en and nomos; (subjectively) legal, or (objectively) subject to — lawful, under law.
Those that are under the Torah (law) have made GOD their King. They have freely taken upon themselves His yoke of Sovereignty = submitted to the Word of GOD; the Voice of GOD.
The Christ, The Anointed One of Israel, (His title, as translated and expressed from the Greek Language) which in Hebrew is expressed as The Messiach, The Anointed One of Israel.
In either language, Hebrew or Greek, we are addressing Him as the Anointed One. He is the Anointing!
Why is any of this important right now?
Because in 2 days time, we will be in Rosh HaShana 2025. (Beginning sundown, the evening of September 22), and we need to know the times and the seasons of the LORD. So that we are not just walking around aimlessly, or oblivious to what is happening around us.
We, EVERYONE, is on the Calendar of GOD whether they accept it or not, they are. You don’t have to accept truth, in order for something to be true. Oxygen exist, whether you ever see it or not.
Some will submit themselves to the authority of Christ and some will not. In 1 Corinthians, He is telling us that He is still seeking to save the lost. Amen. GOD has not given up on us! He is still working in pursuit of saving as many souls as will come to Him.
Halleluyah!
However, as you know, scripture has so many layers and I want to show you something else in these passages – contained within the word anomos.
Let’s look again…
When GOD created the world everything that was created had boundaries and limitations; a purpose and a position in the earth- for the good of all. The sun would rule by day and the moon by night, the water would not cover the earth; this far and no further, the seed would produce after its own kind, etc, etc, (Genesis 1).
But the transgressors cross boundaries… Read these passages again with that understanding in mind.
Mark 15:28 (KJV)
“And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.“
Christ was numbered among those that trespass others rights, properties, boundaries, as if He were like those that trespass against both GOD and man.
Luke 22:37 (KJV)
“For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.”
Christ was numbered among those that disrespect and dishonor another’s name, reputation, legacy, rights…
Acts 2:23 (KJV)
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands (Godless men) have crucified and slain:
Christ was slain by the actual transgressors, those who operated with contempt and total disrespect for truth; crossed boundaries; those who appeared to carry the Word of GOD within them, but did not.
They had a form of godliness (2 Tim 3:5) but refused the Power of GOD within them. The Greek word ar-neh’-om-ahee (G720) translated into English as ‘denying’ is telling us that they rejected the Power of GOD.
ar-neh’-om-ahee means to disavow, denounce or renounce the Power of GOD. All of the above!
The transgressors don’t accept the authority of GOD, they rebel against His authority. GOD’s Word presents boundaries and limitation, restrictions that they reject. They want to operate in their own authority and power. Abnegation is their power. With that, you can feed your own lusts, your own desires, your own thoughts, ways, ideals, and mindset. The ‘Godless men‘ that came for Christ, did so because they wanted to silence a voice they could not control or manipulate.
Some transgressors orchestrate events, some transgressors throw the stones, some transgressors hold the coats, and some transgressors passively aggressively pretend they did not see, or hear or understand, or recognize anything or anyone involved.
Christ made Himself of no reputation to cover it all… if anyone could find the ability to humble themselves, return, repent and recover their relationship with Him.
There is still time. We just need the Word. We just need a Word from the LORD.
1 Corinthians 9:21 (KJV)
To them that are without the Word, as without Torah, (being not without The Word to God, but under the Word (submitted to the WORD and unto Him,) that HE might gain them that are without His Word, His Presence, and His Covering.
There is still time!
Surrender All to GOD
Amen.
